Envelope



G. J. PRAECHTL ENVELOPE Dec. 5, QBBQ 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. l9, 1932 AFTER 5 DAYS 1TETUNI To Inventor Attorney Patented Dec. 5, i 1933 UNITED STATESPATENT ortica ENvELorE George J. rraecnu, Buffalo, N. Y. Application August 19, 1932. Serial No. 629,535 4 (cl. 22e-ss) This invention relates to envelopes of thel kind designated self-opening envelopes, that is, which are each provided with a string, wire or analogous flexible member to be used for tearing open the Il envelope along one or more of its edges.

In accordance with the present invention an envelope of the kind above set forth is provided with opening means which, itself, will not be visl ible from the exterior of the envelope but 'which may be readily operated in amanner to easily open the envelope and which will not unnecessarily mutilate the body of the envelope or interfere with the placing of the letter or mailing sheet within the envelope.

Further, in accordance with the present invention the opening means for the envelope is so associated therewith as to.y leave no exteriorly protruding parts as might interfere with th`e packaging of a plurality of such envelopes as is usually done in the post office for distribution.

The invention with its numerous objects and advantages will be best understood from a study vof the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front face of an envelope embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 indicating the methods used in opening the same.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the blank from which the envelope is formed more clearly illustrating the application of the invention thereto.

Figures 4, 5 and 7 are sectional views taken substantially on the lines 4 4, 5-5 and 7-7 respectively of Figure` 3. l

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a retaining strip to be hereinafter referred to.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a retaining clip forming part of the invention and Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 9--9 of Figure 5.

' Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that the invention may be applied to any form of commercial envelope, the same including a back l0, a front flap 11, side flaps 12 and sealing flap 13. 14 indicates the juncture of the flap 13 with the back or body l0 which is usually scored on a line which gives the iiap an initially true hold. 15 designates the juncture of a side flap 12 with the body or back 10 of the envelope.

At the upper corners of the envelope adjacent the junctlon14 I provide fasteners or clips 16 and at the upper and lower corners of the enthe junction 15 there are provided similar fasteners 17. A suitable length of string, wire, or an analogous flexible member 18 is connected at its-ends with the fasteners 16 while a similar member 19 is connected at its ends with the fasteners 17.

Each of the fasteners is formed from a single length of wire suitably shaped to provide the loop like body with an end portion of the wire forming apart of one side of the loop like body bent upon itself to provide an eye 20.

In applying the fasteners to the envelope and as will be clear from a study of Figures 4 and 5 65 of the drawings a portion of the body of the envelope is pressed inwardly as at 2l, and the ends of the wire passed through openings in the portion 2l, the ends of the wire passing from the outer to the inner side of the body and then clinched, with one of said ends as before mentioned first bent upon itself to provide the eye 20.

It will thus be seen that when the fasteners are so applied to the envelope that the portions of the fasteners exteriorly of the envelope lies substantially within the plane of the body l0 of the envelope as will be clear from a study of Figures 4 and 5.

When all the fasteners are thus'applied to the envelope the cords 18, 19 then have their ends 80 threaded through the eyes 20 and knotted as also shown to advantage in Figures 4 and 5.

The intermediate portion of the strings, cords, or the like 18, 19 are held immediately adjacent the body 10 through the medium of short strips 85 of paper or like material 22. v

l The strips 22 are provided with adhesive faces 23 whereby these strips are secured in position.

In order to open an envelope constructed in accordance with the present invention it is merely necessary that the operator pass the thumb nail between the. exterior portion of a clip, for example between the exterior portion of one of the clips or fasteners 16 and the body portion of the envelope and then pull. This will result in the removing of the said one clip or fastener from engagement with the body of the envelope and a separation of one flap from the body l0 at a corner of the envelope along the juncture line without any portion of either the body or the flap 10o being removed with the fastener.

Manifestly a continued pull will cause the string, cord or analogous member 18, or 19 to tear open the envelope along a junction line 14, or 15 dependent of course whether the clip afore- 105 mentioned be one of the clips 16 or 17.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised lan envelope and more particularly an openerA therefore whereby the envelope may be readily and easily opened, and whereby a number of sealed envelopes may be placed one upon the other without danger of any part of the opener engaging an adjacent envelope thus permitting asserting a plurality of such envelopes with ease and facility.

It is also apparent that the Strings, cords, or analogous elements 18, 19 will in no wise interfere with either the removal of, or the placing within the envelope the mailing sheet.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred e ent of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible oi further changes, modiiications and improvements coining within the scope o1' the appended claims.

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. Opening means for an envelope comprising two lengths of ripping cords,v one of said cords normally lying adjacent one marginal fold of the envelope, and the other of said cords normally lying adjacent a. second marginal fold of the envelope at right-angles` to the mst-named cord, a pair of clips secured at Vthe corners of the envelope adjacent the first-named fold line and connected with the adjacent ends of the firstnamed cord, a second pair of similar clips secured to opposite corners of the envelope adjacent the second-named fold line and connected with the adjacent ends of the second-named cord, each of the clips consisting of a single length of wire having end portions extending into the envelope from the outer side thereof and clinched upon the body of the envelope, and one.of said ends being provided with an eye with which one end of an adjacent ripping cord is engaged.

2. Opening means for an envelope comprising two lengths of ripping cords, one of said cords normally lying adjacent one marginal fold oi' the envelope, and the other c1' saidv cords nor'- mally lying adjacent a second marginal fold of Yand said corner the envelope at right-angles to said first-named cord, a pair of clips secured at the corners of the envelope adjacent the iirst-named fold `line and connected with the adjacent ends ofthe rstnamed cord, a second pair of similar clips secured to opposite corners of the envelope adjacent the second-named fold line and connected with the adjacent ends of the second-named oord-'each of the clips consisting of a single length of wire having end portions extending into the envelope from theouter side thereof and clinched upon the body of the envelope, and one of said ends being provided with an eye with which one end of an adjacent ripping cord is engaged, and a retaining strip for each cord having an adhesive face secured to the body of the envelope with an intermediate portion of a cord passing between the contiguous faces of its retaining strip and envelope.

3. In combination, an envelope having a corner portion thereof pressed inwardly to present an outwardly opening recess, a fastening element having penetrating engagement with said inwardly pressed corner portion oi' the envelope and also having an exterior part lying substantially wholly within said recess, and a iiexible ripping element within the envelope having one end attached internally to said fastening element. 4. An envelope having an attached opener comprising a ripping cord extended within the envelope along an edge thereof, and a. metallic fastener applied to a. corner of the envelope and having a side disposed exteriorly of the envelope, and a second side disposed interlorly of the envelope. the last-named side being provided with an eye to which oneI end of said cord is secured, of the envelope having a portion thereof pressed inwardly to provide a recess accommodating the exterior side of the fastener.

, GEORGE J. PRAECHTL. 

